Fun Times and Networking

I've read in the past about how important it is to network and get together with other business people in order to be successful. Not being an extrovert, I thought pshaw, that's only for others, not for me. (Funny how we choose what scenarios won't apply to us). During my first craft show, I met the lovely GG of Creampuffs by GG and she asked me to make some soaps for her.

That was two years ago, and we haven't had a chance to meet up that much, but whenever we do, we have a fabulous time. We bounce ideas off each other, we commiserate, and of course we laugh. After these meetings, I feel reinvigorated and ready to change the world, or at least to make it a cleaner place.

Do you have a network that you meet with regularly? Do you find it helps?

Sometimes procrastination can be a good thing. I'd been eyeing a Milky Way Mold for a while now, but with shipping costs to Canada being what they are, I've been putting off buying it.

The other day, hubby needed gas for the car, and the border lineups weren't bad, so we decided to head across the border. Well going across to Bellingham naturally means a stop into Otion. This is what I picked up this time. I had to refrain from buying everything in the store. The dragon mold is what I wanted to order, so I was thrilled to see Otion now carries it.

Of course I had to try out the mold right away. I ended up playing with colour combinations trying to figure out what works and so these aren't full sized because it was all about the colours. I chose the gold colour because it's Chinese and we're known for our gold obsession. ;). I used sunshine yellow from Soapylove's jewel kit and added gold mica.

This next one obviously didn't turn out right, I ran out of soap and had to make some more quickly before it set. Yes I was being lazy, but it was also an experiment to see if would result in a graduated look.

Red and gold are traditional Chinese colours, so this was the result.

Version 1

Version 2

But I liked the black so much, I made this.

So honestly, which one do you like, if any? Oh, and they're scented creamsicle and kumquat.

I also decided to do a variation of the beach soap I did last time. (Thanks for the inspiration Cee.) This time I remembered the glitter.

p.s. If you ever go to Bellingham, I'd highly recommend stopping for a bite (and a beer) at The Copper Hog. I know there are lots of great places to eat in Bellingham, but I just can't stop going here. If you have any suggestions of other fantastic eateries in Bellingham, let me know!

The Talented Cee of Oil & Butter

When the very talented Cee of Oil & Butter suggested a soap swap, I jumped at the chance. I knew from her blog that she makes some beautifully creative soaps and I couldn't wait to get my hands on them. She kindly gave me a choice of which ones I wanted, so I chose Yuzu

Beach Bar

and I couldn't decide on a third, so she chose black licorice

I've linked to Cee's pictures because her pictures show the soaps off better.  :)

Did I tell you how much I love her soaps? They are gorgeous and they smell incredible. Hubby was equally impressed by them and I can't wait to try them out. Thanks again Cee!

Summertime, and the living is easy

Well it's certainly not summer here yet on the wet coast, but we've had a few nice days that have inspired some summertime soaps.

Rubber ducky with his larger friends

Glow in the dark rubber duck

"Starfish" in Exotic Fruit Smoothie FO

Next time, I'm going to have to remember to add glitter and make it more like a beach scene I think.

What I did on my summer, I mean spring vacation

Three and a half weeks, come and gone just like that! So what did I do while I was away? Well I ate lots of good food.

complimentary appetizer at the Japanese restaurant

chicken and fried egg donburi

lamb kebab with rice and spinach

If you want to see the yummy homemade meals I had at my sister's, check her what's for dinner blog.

Also met some lovely people at the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana that my sister attended. If there's one thing I find with any specialization, is that the people in that community are so friendly and supportive of one another.

A good part of my visit was spent completing this craft project. 

Felt gingerbread house front

Back view

The trip ended too quickly, unfortunately, but my sister gave me some more of the fragrances she no longer uses. Score!

Lots and lots of fragrances!

You've got a friend

I follow some amazing soapers' blogs:  Oil & Butter, Pink Sudz Soaping Diaries, I'd Rather be Soaping, Under the Willow and of course the requisite Brambleberry and Soap and Restless. These women amaze me with their soaps and sometimes, I think, why do I bother? This isn't a cry for sympathy, it's just a statement of fact.

These women are so supportive and encouraging, but as an MP soaper in a sea of CP soapers, I feel like a fraud sometimes. I'm not risking life and skin playing with lye, and I certainly can't do the mica line (can I?) with melt and pour. And I'm not even going to talk about tiger stripes or anything that beautifully complicated.

Then I get a message from one of my oldest and dearest friend, telling me how her mother-in-law really liked the soap my friend had bought from me, and how her 3 year old son was completely distraught about the last of his fish soap going down the drain. This is when I realize, this is one of the reasons why I still enjoy doing making MP soap, because there are people who like them.

And the soaps go to...

Last week I said I'd have a draw for some soaps. For some reason that seems to scare people into not responding. So, of the people who responded, the soaps go to... everyone.

Bonnie gets the 4 soaps that were pictured, but Cee and Michelle, I'd like to thank you for all your support as well. Michelle, I think I have your address kicking around so I'll get something off to you. Cee, if you can email me your address, I'd like to send you a token of my gratitude as well.

I'm off to visit my sister for 3 1/2 weeks, so I'll try and schedule some posts for that time. However, if I don't get my posts done, I'll still be following everyone's blogs, and look forward to seeing what you're all up to.